The prince is more stable

Chapter 417 Invisible Deterrence
Choosing Zhang Rong was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Zhao Xiaoqian would not joke with the lives of millions of soldiers.

Aside from Zhong Jianzhong and Zhe Keshi, there weren't many talented generals in the Dragon Guards, which meant Zhao Xiaoqian had very few available talents.

Zhong Jianzhong once commented on Zhang Rong, saying that although he lacked bravery, he had a smooth personality, was a little clever, and had the ability to respond to emergencies.

To lead 5,000 soldiers to ambush the Liao army, one needs someone who can adapt to the situation. In a battle where firearms are lined up and fired simultaneously, personal bravery is insignificant.

What is important is to judge the situation on the battlefield, to know when to open fire, when to slip away, and which direction to flee if the situation is not right.

Therefore, Zhang Rong is the best candidate. From a practical point of view, Zhao Xiaoqian can be said to know how to use people well.

Zhang Rong was ecstatic when he was once again appointed by Zhao Xiaoqian. His old face, which barely resembled a human being, was covered with wrinkles. He calmly wiped his face with his sleeves despite the jealous spit of the generals, truly "wiping away the spit in his face" and seeing through the greed, anger and ignorance of the world like a high monk.

Zhang Rong expressed his gratitude to Zhao Xiaoqian profusely, kneeling on one knee and bowing with a bang, just like a host thanking the big brother on the live broadcast list, so pious.

After giving all the necessary instructions, Zhao Xiaoqian ordered the tents to be dispersed. All the generals saluted and left the tent, leaving only Shao Jing and Feng Sheng.

Zhao Xiaoqian left the two behind because he was worried, and his worry came from distrust.

"You are only allowed to take 5,000 troops north to lure the enemy. This number is the most appropriate. If there are too many, the Liao army commander will not dare to advance rashly. If there are too few, the Liao army commander may become suspicious."

"Five thousand men would be the perfect number. The Liao army has come from afar, their morale is high, and they're eager to show off their prowess. With five thousand men and horses right in front of them, it's hard for them to resist the temptation."

The two of them listened respectfully without saying a word.

Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "I'll leave it to you to go back to the camp and count the troops. Remember, you don't need to pick the most courageous ones. Ordinary ones are fine. The kind that don't have much fighting spirit, but are looking to take advantage of opportunities, and turn around and run when encountering a strong enemy are the most suitable. They will act naturally in their true colors."

Shao Jing moved his lips a few times, feeling quite dissatisfied with Zhao Xiaoqian's description of his subordinates. However, when he thought about it carefully, it seemed that there were indeed not many capable soldiers under his command, and the evaluation was very objective.

Seeing Shao Jing's discontent and unwillingness, Zhao Xiaoqian raised his eyebrows: "Do you have a different opinion?"

Shao Jing smiled bitterly and said, "Although what the Duke said is basically true, I still dare to hope that the Duke can be more tactful."

"Okay, then I'll put it in a more tactful way," Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Pick a group of soldiers who cherish their lives and act cautiously. There should be many such soldiers in your army..."

Shao Jing: “…………”

I really shouldn't have said so much. The Duke's euphemism made it seem even more unpleasant.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Perform well this time. Remember, I, the soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp, as well as the people of Zhending City and the nine counties under its jurisdiction, are all keeping an eye on your Xiang army. I've given you a chance. If you still don't perform well, don't blame me for ignoring your Xiang army in the future."

Shao Jing and Feng Sheng were immediately awed. They clasped their fists and said solemnly, "If this fails, I will bring my head to you!"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled. Here come two more bloody things. Do they really think "bring your heads to me" is a polite remark?

"Come here, bring me pen and paper. The two generals are willing to sign a military order: 'If this fails, I will bring my head to you.' Write it firmly in black and white, and then press your fingerprints. Don't blame me for being too strict later."

…………

Two days later, they were about two hundred miles away from Zhending Prefecture.

The weather was very bad, with heavy snow falling and stopping for several days. The Liao army's long journey was delayed for a long time due to the weather.

The 40,000 Liao troops were not dressed in uniform. Some wore armor, and some were wrapped in fur cloaks. The army was so huge that there was no end in sight.

The seemingly loose marching troops inexplicably give people an extremely strong sense of oppression, as if anyone who defies the will of this army will be ruthlessly crushed into powder.

Yelu Chun was riding a horse and marching in the center of the army. Beside him was a familiar young man, who was the Liao Dynasty's crown prince Yelu Yanxi.

The two rode side by side, chatting and laughing all the way, but the smile on Yelu Chun's face seemed a little forced.

Yelu Chun was in his early forties, slightly plump, and rode on a horse with a round belly. He was wrapped in a very conspicuous white bear skin, which was said to have been hunted by the Jurchen tribe in the distant Arctic and presented to Yelu Hongji, who then gave it to Yelu Chun.

The Liao Dynasty's Yelu royal family consisted of numerous members, and the intrigue and competition for favor among them was intense. Yelu Chun, the nephew of Yelu Hongji, stood out among the thousands of Yelu clan members and was deeply trusted by Yelu Hongji. He was given the title of "Prince of Beiping," indicating that he was quite capable.

Moreover, the relationship between Yelu Chun and Yelu Yanxi, the uncle and nephew, was very good. For Yelu Yanxi, the next king of the Liao Dynasty, he had long regarded his uncle Yelu Chun as a supported minister and his closest support. Whenever there was an undecided matter, Yelu Yanxi would consult Yelu Chun.

The reason why Yelu Yanxi followed the expedition to Zhending Prefecture was to share some of the credit so that his qualifications would look better when he inherited the throne in the future.

The second reason is that he fully believed in Yelu Chun's ability and felt that his uncle would be successful in the expedition. Yelu Yanxi would witness it with his own eyes as the crown prince. When he returned to the court in triumph, he would also have the qualifications and position to advocate for Yelu Chun, thereby enhancing the weight of Yelu Yanxi's camp.

On the bumpy horseback, the uncle and nephew chatted and laughed, appearing to be in perfect harmony.

However, there was a hint of worry between Yelu Chun's brows.

When the army set out, Yelu Chun was full of confidence. In his view, the Liao Kingdom's mobilization of 50,000 troops to attack the Song Kingdom's Zhending Prefecture was simply a credit given to him for free by Yelu Hongji.

Judging from the person appointed as the commander-in-chief, Yelu Chun believed that this was a preparation for Yelu Yanxi's accession to the throne. The uncle and nephew used this battle to establish their authority in the Liao court and shut up the royal relatives and rebellious ministers.

The job, which was originally very easy, finally changed two days ago.

Border scouts urgently reported that two days ago, the Song army suddenly launched a night attack on the Liao army camp on the border. The 10,000 Liao soldiers stationed on the border were completely wiped out, half of the camp was burned down, and not even a single war horse escaped.

This was a very bad sign for Yelu Chun.

The Song army, which had always adopted a strategic defensive stance, suddenly launched an offensive this time and easily wiped out 10,000 Liao troops.

This shows that the combat effectiveness of the Song army is no longer what it used to be. The Liao emperor and his ministers probably underestimated the advantages and disadvantages of the Song army's new firearms. It also shows that Zhao Xiaoqian, the newly appointed governor of the western Hebei route by the Song emperor, is definitely a tough guy.

When the news that 10,000 Liao troops had been completely wiped out reached Yelu Chun's central army tent, he suddenly realized what kind of opponent he was about to face.

Zhao Xiaoqian is very different from the officials and generals of the Song Dynasty in previous years.

This is a typical hawkish figure who is very ruthless in his actions. He dares to do things that others dare not do, without any concerns at all.

In the years of Song and Liao's offensive and defensive situation, when did the Song army ever initiate an offensive? Moreover, they fought without declaring war, completely ignoring the pressure from the emperors and ministers of the two countries.

Only Zhao Xiaoqian had the courage and determination to lead the troops.

Moreover, he happened to succeed in doing it. One can imagine how high the morale of the Song army in Zhending Prefecture is now, and how eager they are to fight.

The closer the 40,000 Liao troops got to Zhending Prefecture, the heavier Yelu Chun's mood became.

Before the two armies engaged in battle, or even met, their opponent Zhao Xiaoqian had already put enough pressure on him.

I heard that this person is still a young man in his early twenties, and is from the royal family, and is deeply favored by the Emperor of Song.

If such a person had lived a few more years, the Song army would have suffered huge losses under his command, and the Liao Kingdom would have suffered huge losses.

On the bumpy horse's back, Yelu Chun frowned and sighed unconsciously.

Yelu Yanxi, who was standing nearby, heard this and turned around and said with a smile, "Why is the emperor sighing?"

Yelu Chun forced a smile and said, "The Song army raided the Liao camp, and all ten thousand of our great Liao warriors were wiped out. Zhao Xiaoqian... is truly an extraordinary person."

Yelu Yanxi smiled and said, "My nephew has heard the military report, but I think this is just a lucky victory for the Song army."

"Uncle, have you carefully read the contents of the military report? The Song army took advantage of the heavy snow blocking the roads and attacked at the time of Yin, when the Liao army camp was at its most relaxed. This can only be said to be cunning, but it does not mean that the Song army is powerful."

Yelu Yanxi smiled proudly and said, "If the Liao army of 40,000 arrives and we defend our camp tightly day and night, I don't believe Zhao Xiaoqian will still be able to launch a surprise attack on us."

"The Song army has been weak for nearly a hundred years. It's impossible for it to be completely transformed in just one or two years. Your uncle is worrying too much. Once our army reaches Zhending Prefecture, we will engage in a major battle with the Song army. Let their defeat prove to you that the Song State is still the same vulnerable State. Nothing has changed."

(End of this chapter)